Keep a lid on it - how to ensure your roof stays put even in high winds

Ensuring the roof on your building stays on is paramount to ensuring the rest of the property stays warm, dry and defect free.

With recent weather conditions taking a turn for the worse, I mean five storms since the beginning of the year, it’s a wonder any of us have a roof left over our heads!

That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure roof tiles are fitted to stand the test of time.

What fixings are required for roof coverings?

Changes in weather patterns have resulted in changes to the theoretical wind loads used to calculate mechanical fixings required for roof coverings.

This determines the amount of fixings required to withstand greater wind loads helping to keep the roof covering in place.

So basically the more mechanical fixings used to fit slates, roof tiles, ridge and hip tiles the more secure the roof!

For example all single lapped tiles on a roof now need to be mechanically fixed and tiles at the perimeter must now have a minimum of two fixings.

What about the underlay?

It’s just as important to make sure the underlay doesn’t blow away too!

The latest BS5534 standards use a new test method to determine the wind resistance of unsupported underlay. The test measures the upward deflection and potential movement of the underlay when subjected to different air pressures as experienced in various regions across the UK.

The purpose of this test is to ensure the underlay cannot move under these wind pressures to a point where it makes contact with and displaces roof tiles or slates.

This will be indicated on a new labelling system on the underlay helping you determine which underlay is the most suitable depending on where you are working and how best to install it.

Make sure your ridge and hip tiles are mechanically fixed

It is no longer acceptable to rely on the strength of the mortar to hold roof components in place.

All ridge and hip tiles need to be mechanically fixed.

Where mortar is used such as in traditional and refurbishment projects, mechanical fixing options will also be required in the form of clips, nails or screws.

To make sure your roof stays put make sure you contact the roof tile manufacturer for a full roof fixing specification for the area you are building in.